Fujifilm X100S vs X20

The Fujifilm X100S and the Fujifilm X20 are two digital cameras that were announced in January 2013. Both the X100S and the X20 are fixed lens compact cameras that are based on an APS-C (X100S) and a 2/3 (X20) sensor. The X100S has a resolution of 16 megapixels, whereas the X20 provides 12 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Fujifilm X100S and the
Fujifilm X20? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Fujifilm X100S and the Fujifilm X20. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Both cameras are available in two different colors (black, silver).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size,
the Fujifilm X20 is notably smaller (13 percent) than the Fujifilm X100S. Moreover, the X20 is markedly lighter (21 percent) than the X100S. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the X100S nor the X20 are weather-sealed.

Concerning battery life, the X100S gets 330 shots out of its NP-95 battery,
while the X20 can take 270 images on a single charge of its NP-50 power pack.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, just select a new right or left
comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and
choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The X20 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 54 percent) than the X100S, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Fujifilm X100S features an APS-C sensor and the Fujifilm X20
a 2/3 sensor. The sensor area in the X20 is 84 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 3.9. The sensor in the X100S has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the X20 offers a 4:3 aspect.

With 16MP, the X100S offers a higher
resolution than the X20 (12MP), but the X100S nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of
4.80μm versus 2.20μm for the X20) due to its larger sensor. It is noteworthy in this context that the two cameras were released in close succession, so that their sensors are
from the same technological generation. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The Fujifilm X100S has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600.
The corresponding ISO settings for the Fujifilm X20 are ISO 100 to ISO 12800 (no boost).

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

Camera Model

Sensor Class

Resolution (MP)

Horiz. Pixels

Vert. Pixels

Video Format

DXO Portrait

DXO Landscape

DXO Sports

DXO Overall

Camera Model

Fujifilm X100S

APS-C

16.0

4896

3264

1080/60p

..

..

..

..

Fujifilm X100S

Fujifilm X20

2/3

12.0

4000

3000

1080/60p

..

..

..

..

Fujifilm X20

Canon G16

1/1.7

12.0

4000

3000

1080/60p

21.0

11.7

230

54

Canon G16

Canon G1 X

1.5-inch

14.2

4352

3264

1080/24p

21.7

10.8

644

60

Canon G1 X

Fujifilm X100F

APS-C

24.0

6000

4000

1080/60p

..

..

..

..

Fujifilm X100F

Fujifilm X30

2/3

12.0

4000

3000

1080/60p

..

..

..

..

Fujifilm X30

Fujifilm X100T

APS-C

16.0

4896

3264

1080/60p

..

..

..

..

Fujifilm X100T

Fujifilm X-Pro1

APS-C

16.0

4896

3264

1080/24p

..

..

..

..

Fujifilm X-Pro1

Fujifilm X10

2/3

12.0

4000

3000

1080/30p

20.5

11.3

245

50

Fujifilm X10

Fujifilm X100

APS-C

12.2

4288

2848

720/30p

22.9

12.4

1001

73

Fujifilm X100

Leica D-LUX 7

Four Thirds

16.8

4736

3552

4K/30p

..

..

..

..

Leica D-LUX 7

Leica D-LUX Typ 109

Four Thirds

12.7

4112

3088

4K/30p

..

..

..

..

Leica D-LUX Typ 109

Leica X Typ 113

APS-C

16.1

4928

3264

1080/30p

..

..

..

..

Leica X Typ 113

Leica D-LUX 6

1/1.7

10.0

3648

2736

1080/60p

..

..

..

..

Leica D-LUX 6

Nikon Coolpix A

APS-C

16.1

4928

3264

1080/30p

23.4

13.8

1164

80

Nikon Coolpix A

Panasonic LX7

1/1.7

10.0

3648

2736

1080/60p

20.7

11.7

147

50

Panasonic LX7

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, and both provide the same movie specifications (1080/60p).

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the X100S has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), while the X20 has an optical one.
Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information
into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Fujifilm X100S, the Fujifilm X20, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

Camera Model

Viewfinder (Type or '000 dots)

Control Panel (yes/no)

LCD Size (inch)

LCD Resolution ('000 dots)

LCD Attach- ment

Touch Screen (yes/no)

Mech Shutter Speed

Shutter Flaps (1/sec)

Built-in Flash (yes/no)

Built-in Image Stab

Camera Model

Fujifilm X100S

2360

n

2.8

460

fixed

n

1/4000s

6.0

Y

n

Fujifilm X100S

Fujifilm X20

optical

n

2.8

460

fixed

n

1/4000s

12.0

Y

Y

Fujifilm X20

Canon G16

optical

n

3.0

922

fixed

n

1/4000s

2.2

Y

Y

Canon G16

Canon G1 X

optical

n

3.0

922

Swivel

n

1/4000s

1.9

Y

Y

Canon G1 X

Fujifilm X100F

2360

n

3.0

1040

fixed

n

1/4000s

8.0

Y

n

Fujifilm X100F

Fujifilm X30

2360

n

3.0

920

tilting

n

1/4000s

12.0

Y

Y

Fujifilm X30

Fujifilm X100T

2360

n

3.0

1040

fixed

n

1/4000s

6.0

Y

n

Fujifilm X100T

Fujifilm X-Pro1

1440

n

3.0

1230

fixed

n

1/4000s

6.0

n

n

Fujifilm X-Pro1

Fujifilm X10

optical

n

2.8

460

fixed

n

1/4000s

10.0

Y

Y

Fujifilm X10

Fujifilm X100

1440

n

2.8

460

fixed

n

1/4000s

5.0

Y

n

Fujifilm X100

Leica D-LUX 7

2764

n

3.0

1240

fixed

Y

1/4000s

11.0

n

Y

Leica D-LUX 7

Leica D-LUX Typ 109

2764

n

3.0

921

fixed

n

1/4000s

11.0

n

Y

Leica D-LUX Typ 109

Leica X Typ 113

optional

n

3.0

920

fixed

n

1/2000s

5.0

Y

n

Leica X Typ 113

Leica D-LUX 6

optional

n

3.0

920

fixed

n

1/4000s

11.0

Y

Y

Leica D-LUX 6

Nikon Coolpix A

optional

n

3.0

921

fixed

n

1/2000s

4.0

Y

n

Nikon Coolpix A

Panasonic LX7

optional

n

3.0

920

fixed

n

1/4000s

11.0

Y

Y

Panasonic LX7

The X20 is equipped with a zoom lens, while the X100S comes with a built-in prime. The X20 has a 28-112mm f/2.0-2.8 optic and the X100S offers a 35mm f/2.0 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the X20 provides a wider angle of view at the short end, as well as more tele-photo reach at the long end than the X100S. Both cameras offer the same maximum aperture.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the X100S and the X20 write their files to SDXC cards. The X100S supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the X20 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Fujifilm X100S and Fujifilm X20 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

Camera Model

Hotshoe Port

Internal Microphone

Internal Speaker

Microphone Port

Headphone Port

HDMI Port

USB Port

WiFi Support

NFC Support

Bluetooth Support

Camera Model

Fujifilm X100S

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

-

-

-

Fujifilm X100S

Fujifilm X20

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

-

-

-

Fujifilm X20

Canon G16

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

mini

2.0

Y

-

-

Canon G16

Canon G1 X

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Canon G1 X

Fujifilm X100F

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

-

Fujifilm X100F

Fujifilm X30

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

-

Fujifilm X30

Fujifilm X100T

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

-

Fujifilm X100T

Fujifilm X-Pro1

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Fujifilm X-Pro1

Fujifilm X10

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Fujifilm X10

Fujifilm X100

Y

stereo

none

-

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Fujifilm X100

Leica D-LUX 7

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

Y

Leica D-LUX 7

Leica D-LUX Typ 109

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

Y

-

Leica D-LUX Typ 109

Leica X Typ 113

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Leica X Typ 113

Leica D-LUX 6

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Leica D-LUX 6

Nikon Coolpix A

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

none

2.0

-

-

-

Nikon Coolpix A

Panasonic LX7

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Panasonic LX7

Both the X100S and the X20 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used
on eBay. The X100S was replaced by the Fujifilm X100T, while the X20 was followed by the Fujifilm X30. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Fujifilm website.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Fujifilm X100S or the Fujifilm X20 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Arguments in favor of the Fujifilm X20:

Wider view: Has a wider-angle lens that facilitates landscape or interior shots.

More compact: Is smaller (117x70mm vs 127x74mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.

Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 92g or 21 percent) and is thus easier to take along.

Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.

More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (54 percent cheaper at launch).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the X100S comes out slightly ahead of the X20 (8 : 7 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges
from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera
is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

X100S 08:07 X20

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Fujifilm X100S and the Fujifilm X20 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest
Best Prime Lens Compact Camera and Best Travel-Zoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the X100S or the X20 perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge,
reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.